Frazier begins rehab; Syndergaard nears return

July 28th, 2018

PITTSBURGH -- Infield depth appears to be on the way for the Mets as third baseman , who landed on the 10-day disabled list on July 9, began his rehab assignment with Class A Advanced St. Lucie on Saturday.
Frazier went 1-for-2 with a walk and two RBIs in the game.
The 32-year-old has batted .217 and posted a .685 OPS over 61 games during his first season with the Mets. He was placed on the DL with a left rib cage muscle strain that occurred during his first at-bat of a game against the Rays on July 8.

After having never been on the disabled list before 2018, Frazier will be looking to make his second return from a DL stint this season. He missed time in May due to a left hamstring strain.
"I think we want to make sure that he's in a good spot to come back," manager Mickey Callaway said. "He's going to play five innings [Saturday], and, if that goes well, seven [Sunday] and then continue that progression. We'd like to get him out to nine innings and be ready to go nine innings when he gets back."
The Mets have filled the third-base role by committee during Frazier's absence, as , , and Jeff McNeil have each seen time at the position since July 9. While Frazier won't likely be ready to return to the club in time for the Mets' two-game set with the Nationals starting Tuesday, Callaway remains optimistic that he's not too far off.
"I think the Washington series might be a little too optimistic, but he's getting close," Callaway said.
Syndergaard eyeing Wednesday return
continues to make significant progression in his viral illness, and Callaway stated that he is on track to return for a start against the Nationals on Wednesday.
The Mets placed the right-hander on the 10-day disabled list on Monday with hand, foot and mouth disease. The stint came two starts after spending nearly two months on the DL with a strained ligament in his right index finger.
Syndergaard has gone 6-1 in 13 starts for the Mets this season. He's recorded 83 strikeouts while allowing 24 earned runs over 74 2/3 innings.

Guillorme recalled
A day after trading to the Phillies, the Mets recalled infielder to fill Cabrera's spot on the active roster on Saturday.
Guillorme, 23, has appeared in 29 games for the Mets this season and slashed .172/.250/.457. He's batted .301 with a .780 OPS in 51 games with Triple-A Las Vegas in 2018.